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Heat Stress

Heat stress is caused when a pig’s body temperature rises above certain limits; in these circumstances, the pig will first increase its respiration rate in an attempt to keep cool, then search for environmental opportunities for cooling, ie wallowing, soiling pen and lying in urine. If the pig cannot cool itself sufficiently it will collapse and, in the worst scenario, die.

Pigs subjected to high temperatures will have reduced growth rates (by up to 50g/d) and, in the breeding herd, farrowing rates could decline by as much as 25% with litter size showing a small drop as well.

We have a range of resources to help you prepare for summer and minimise the risk of your pigs becoming heat stressed, whether they are housed indoors or outdoors.